Phantom avy info? 04/06/11

Not that I want to be in an avy, but how lucky to have Marcus there!

Since I saw something about lunch and it seems that people are in the Bellevue area - I'd love to meet anyone for lunch or drinks. I work and live downtown.

I am not doing this so that I can get a first-hand narration but just to 'meet and greet.' IF people want to talk about it - I'll surely listen, but this is not expected or anything.

Cheers
Ivo

“Seriously... talk about an easy patient.” Having the right victim can sure make being a hero a heck of a lot easier.

Excellent thread, great read. Thanks for all who contributed.

I'd like to express my appreciation to all those that contributed to this thread especially those involved in the accident. Hats off to the SAR crew and all those rescuers as well - they never get enough props for the work they do.

There's a lot of great stuff I am going to take away from all this but one point sticks out in my mind. The accident took place in the morning across the street from a ski area and the rescue was initiated almost immediately after the avalanche. However it didn't didn't complete until after dark. Something to think about when you are out on most any tour.

I was benighted on Mt Shuksan for two nights in Oct 1983 while aiding an injured climber from a different party. Bad weather came in our our blue bird day and we endured rain and snow. After that I carried a big medical kit, emergency blanket, etc. After years of not needing all that stuff my "rescue package" slowly got smaller and smaller. This story is a good reminder that can things go wrong.

This image shows the bottom of the splint that Marcus built for Dan.

I'd take a pass on the femur business but I'll have whatever Dan's having.  So glad you are all home if somewhat bunged and wishing a speedy and full recovery to all.  Thanks for sharing your stories.  To the rescuers, huzzah! 

To the rescuers, huzzah! 

Agreed.

This incident reminds me of another avalanche accident I learned about in my ski history research. On April 18, 1954, Bill Degenhardt was caught in an avalanche on Snoqualmie Mountain. About 10 years ago I interviewed his widow Stella Degenhardt (now deceased) and asked her about it. Some notes:

alpenglow.org/ski-history/notes/comm/degenhardt-stella.html

In 1954, Bill Degenhardt was planning to lead a trip up Mt Snoqualmie so he went up with Stella and Loretta Slater on skis to do a little scouting. They had been out of town recently, and while they were gone there had been a warm spell, then a freeze, then snowfall, classic conditions for an avalanche. During their tour the sun came out and warmed the snow. They had stopped for lunch and were about to head home when Bill decided to take a look over a nearby ridge. He later said, "The minute I stepped on the slope I knew I'd made a mistake." An avalanche caught him but he was able to stay on top of it until it went over a small cliff. He broke his pelvis in the ride over the cliff. Stella skied out for help and the Mountain Rescue Council brought Bill out. Stella recalled that it was Easter Sunday. She showed me clippings about the accident from the Seattle Times and P-I on April 19 and 20, 1954.

Bill Degenhardt was one of the pioneers of Cascade climbing before World War II. Mount Degenhardt in the North Cascades is named for him. He was also a strong skier, a two-time winner of the Mountaineers Patrol Race. After the war he was president of the Mountaineers for a time.

I have some pictures of his rescue, from the Ira Spring collection. Alpental didn't exist in 1954. The Mountain Rescue Council pulled him out 16 hours after his accident. His rescuers were friends of his, but they would have done the same thing for anybody. Rescue in the Northwest has a long and honorable tradition. Big thanks to those who continue it today.

[img]http://alpenglow.org/misc/2011/Spring-010220-Bill Degenhardt-collage-1954.jpg[/img]

Left: Bill Degenhardt in the 1950s. (Photo on display in the Mountaineers Mt Baker lodge.) Right: Dr. Otto Trott administers plasma to Bill Degenhardt on Mt Snoqualmie as Kurt Beam assists. Photo courtesy the Spring Trust for Trails (negative #10220).
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Kurt Beam, Otto Trott, Al Krupp, and Wolf Bauer (L-R) rescue Bill Degenhardt in a Stokeski litter after he broke his hip in an avalanche on Mt Snoqualmie, 1954. Photo courtesy Spring Trust for Trails (negative #10222).
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